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Free Famagusta to get out of abandonment

a 6 Nea Famagusta
a 6987 Nea Famagusta

By Lefteris Christoforou *

The new Minister of Commerce rightly promoted the important project for the Province of Famagusta, which is the construction of the Ayia Napa Marina, and we welcome it, because we believe that for every positive action we must be supportive and constructive. This is what we have done and this is what we will continue to do, because this is what our political culture demands. 

We must mention that for the specific project there was a significant contribution of the previous Minister of Commerce of Antonis Paschalidis, of EVEA, of the local authorities and bodies as well as of the Parliament.

The only important development project that begins to be implemented after many years of pregnancy, in fact in the area of ​​Famagusta, is the Ayia Napa Marina. The last important projects, the Famagusta Hospital and the Motorway were implemented in 2001 -2002.

We must point out that the Ministry of Commerce is making ambitious and sincere efforts for the development of the region, but they run into either the bureaucratic state or the subterranean forces of interests that oppose the Development of the Province of Famagusta.

In order for someone to understand the size of the offer of the Province of Famagusta, I emphasize that the Province contributes to GDP only from Tourism in excess of 500 million euros per year.
The question is. For this timeless contribution of hundreds of millions of euros of Famagusta to the economy, what did the State of Cyprus finally return to the Province and its inhabitants. Only a few.

What the Province of Famagusta and its wintering inhabitants universally demands is a balanced and equivalent development throughout Cyprus, equal treatment of all the Provinces and respect and support of its inhabitants with similar projects and services, as is done for every Cypriot Citizen.

Thus, we consider the decision to create a Marina in Ayia Napa a positive development, but it is definitely necessary to intensify the effort for a complete development in the Famagusta Area by promoting the construction of Marina in Protaras, the creation of Golf Courses, Theme Parks, Indoor Sports Hall, Sports Hall, etc.

In recent years, the Province of Famagusta has been transformed into a Province of Unemployment, Poverty, Recession and Despair. Famagusta is time to get out of isolation and abandonment. Famagusta can not wait any longer. So I expect that all the projects that are on the shelf for many years will be promoted both for the development and the good of the Province and for the interest of the place.

* Lefteris Christoforou - First Vice President of DISY, Member of Parliament for the Province of Famagusta (Article from the newspaper "SIMERINI")